Paducah, Bowling Green or Elizabethtown ? (Louisville, St. Matthews: crime, hotels, home)

[Tzman]

These are three cities we are considering for relocation. All imput is welcome, THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kimmieyky]

Well, tell you what - give me your criteria, the type of 'feel' you are looking for - a little info about your budget (retired, seeking work, professional, etc.), and what things are important to you for your daily and weekend living - and I'll give you all the info I can! I have had good luck in finding much by googling - and have contacts in some areas - I'll see what I can do!

Kimmiey

[Tzman]

I will be retired at the time of the move. We live in the Atlanta area and are looking for a slower, smaller populated and defiantly less crime ridden area. At the same time we don't want to drive 25 miles to a grocery store. My wife wants a decent mall or shopping in the area, somewhere that she won't have to drag me kicking and screaming too far. I personally would like to be in the middle of the woods, but compromises must be made to stay happily married. There is the possibility that she could be transferred to their Louisville office, which would make Elizabethtown a most likely candidate. My wife is originally from Paducah so we know that area well, but she's not 100% about going back home. Basically she just wants to get back to the western half of Kentucky and I just want to get out of Atlanta. I guess a good bit of people in our age group 50-55 are looking for Mayberry, USA. Thanks!

[kimmieyky]

Elizabethtown is absolutely your ciyt of choice from what you have described. While the town has grown and there is major shopping in the area, along with many places to enjoy and relax - you are still in an area which requires little travel to reach the country.
I am not certain about the Paducah area - as it has been years since I was there. I am sure they have grwon, and they too - are close enough to the country to make the life you describe possible.

Having been through this with another family recently - I can tell you the best thing to do is come up for a visit.

Maybery does exist - and you can find it here in Kentucky - promise! My new friends are actually relocating to my town, Lebanon Junction. Not much here in town, but it is located close enough to Louisville for major shopping, and 15 minutes away from Elizabethtown - where most of us go to shop.

The weather is warming up, and it will not be long until the flowers start to pop. March would be a great time to come up - should be plenty of blue sky - but then again there is always the chance of a few days of rain.

Elizabethtown has many options for lodging, The Ramada Limited right of exit 94 is very hospitable to those relocating, and includes a business center with access to the internet - so you can check out areas on line before you visit.

Good luck - and if you have further questions, please feel free to pm me!

[Tzman]

Thanks for your imput. We do plan on a visit mid March. How is the La Quinta? We'll have our dogs with us and it's the only pet friendly place that I have been able to find. Please, include anything negative about the Elizabethtown, Hardin County or Louisville area. We need the bad with the good, believe me not too many places can be worse than what Atlanta has become, so fire away!

[kimmieyky]

La Quinta, is a decent place. Everyone has their own opinions about what hotels should be - I but I have not heard anything bad about it.

Bad about Louisville - downtown - very heavy traffice during the day - until after 6:00 p.m. There are certain neighborhoods that you may not be comfortable in - as every large city has them. Concentrate your visit to anything from 5th street east in the downtown district. If you look at the Chamber of commerce site, you will find info on the Louisville Slugger museum, the Imax theater inside the Louisville Science Center - that sort of thing. The major shopping areas are in the St. Matthews, J-town area - where you will find many, many stores and malls off Shelbyville road, Taylorsville road, and Hurstborne parkway, which leads all the way to Westport road - another great shopping and entertainment area.

Elizabethtown in Hardin County - I cannot think of anythng negative (honestly, clean, friendly), The people are great, it is smaller than Louisville - comparable to the entire east end of Louisville. The main drag Hwy 31W (Dixie Hwy) will lead you to the major stores and Malls. Downtown you will find antique shops, that sort of thing with a circle around the old courthouse. I-65 will get you easily from Louisville to E-town with about a 50 minute trip.

Glad you are coming to visit - hope you enjoy yourself!

Oh, and just off the interstate in E-town, as you head west, past Burger King, Cracker Barrel, etc. - before you go under the railroad bridge - located on the right side of the road is the Visitor Center. They have all the info you will need for a stay in E-town.

The visitors Center in Louisville is located downtown - on Main - I think? Check with the Chamber of Commerce.

If you have a chance while you are driving betwen the two cities - take a detour off I-65 at Hwy 245. I belive it is exit 112. Take a right, and just down on the right you will find Bernheim Forest - a privately owned forest - home to thousands of plant secies, deer run free, many, many different birds, and art work throughoutthe park. The have added a Visitors Center with many interactive things to do, and hiking trails are located all over the park.

Visiting in March should be a wonderful time to be there - as the flowers and trees will be 'waking up' and you will truly be able to enjoy the serenity of Kentucky.

Glad you are headed this way! (Bernheim has a site, too)

[Digger57]

Tzman, I think E-town would be a good fit for you from what you described. I am also from Atlanta and will be retiring in Butler county. We have some property on the green river and are only about 25 minuites from Bowling Green. Good luck with your move! I know you can't wait to get away from this stinkin' traffic!
Kentucky is a wonderful state.

Digger~

[Tzman]

Thanks Kimmiey and Digger, I appreciate your imput on the area. My wifes company in Louisville is located on Shelbyville Road. Looks like it's on the eastside of town, which from what you have described is the better location. We will be in Elizabethtown mid March armed with your information. Thanks again, will file our impressions upon!!